U.S. patent number 7,909,745 [Application Number 12/369,917] was granted by the patent office on 2011-03-22 for adjustable resistance exercise device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Brookstone Purchasing, Inc.. Invention is credited to Stephen Mills, Stevenson Tom.
United States Patent |
7,909,745 |
Mills , et al. |
March 22, 2011 |
Adjustable resistance exercise device
Abstract
A resistance exercise device enables resistance training by
using one or more retractable cables that provide resistance to the
user when the user pulls on the cable(s). The resistance exercise
device provides a retraction force to retract the cable(s), which
is independent of a resistance force applied to the cable(s). The
resistance exercise device may thus allow adjustment of the
resistance force without affecting the retraction force.
Inventors: |
Mills; Stephen (Atkinson,
NH), Tom; Stevenson (Nashua, NH) |
Assignee: |
Brookstone Purchasing, Inc.
(Merrimack, NH)
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Family
ID: |
42540903 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/369,917 |
Filed: |
February 12, 2009 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20100204023 A1 |
Aug 12, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/130; 482/126;
482/127 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
21/153 (20130101); A63B 21/015 (20130101); A63B
21/00069 (20130101); A63B 23/0355 (20130101); A63B
2071/027 (20130101); A63B 2208/0238 (20130101); A63B
2208/0204 (20130101); A63B 2208/0214 (20130101); A63B
21/025 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
21/04 (20060101); A63B 21/02 (20060101); A63B
21/045 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;482/55,56,110,116,120,122,123,126,127,129,130 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
4 Weeks Makeover kit Instruction Booklet for "Cable Gym". cited by
other.
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Primary Examiner: Lewin; Allana
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Grossman Tucker Perreault &
Pfleger, PLLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An adjustable resistance exercise device comprising a support
frame; at least one cable receiving spool rotatably coupled to the
support frame; at least one cable coupled to the cable receiving
spool, wherein a length of the cable is coiled around the cable
receiving spool in a retracted position and wherein the length of
the cable extends from the cable receiving spool in an extended
position, wherein the cable receiving spool is rotatable in a
winding direction when the cable is being retracted toward the
retracted position, and wherein the cable receiving spool is
rotatable in an unwinding direction when the cable is being
extended toward the extended position; at least one adjustable
resistance and retraction mechanism operably coupled to the cable
receiving spool to apply an adjustable resistance force to the
cable receiving spool and to apply a retraction force to the cable
receiving spool independent of the adjustable resistance force,
wherein the resistance force resists rotation of the cable
receiving spool in the unwinding direction to resist extension of
the cable toward the extended position when the cable receiving
spool is rotating in the unwinding direction, wherein the
resistance force is applied only when the cable receiving spool is
rotating in the unwinding direction, and wherein the retraction
force causes the cable receiving spool to rotate in the winding
direction to retract the cable toward the retracted position when
the cable receiving spool is rotating in the winding direction; and
a housing including a top surface for receiving part of a user,
wherein the housing houses the frame, the cable receiving spool,
and the adjustable resistance and retraction mechanism, wherein the
housing includes an aperture that receives the cable and allows the
cable to extend and retract, and wherein the at least one cable
receiving spool lies substantially parallel to the top surface of
the housing such that an axis of rotation of the cable receiving
spool is substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the
housing.
2. The adjustable resistance exercise device of claim 1 wherein the
housing includes a handle engaging region.
3. The adjustable resistance exercise device of claim 1 further
including at least one pulley rotatably mounted to the frame and
receiving the cable from the cable receiving spool, wherein an axis
of rotation of the pulley is generally orthogonal to an axis of
rotation of the cable receiving spool.
4. The adjustable resistance exercise device of claim 1 wherein the
adjustable resistance and retraction mechanism comprises: at least
one resistance wheel rotatably coupled to the support frame and
selectively engaged with the cable receiving spool such that the
cable receiving spool and the resistance wheel are engaged when the
cable receiving spool rotates in the unwinding direction and the
cable receiving spool and the resistance wheel are disengaged when
the cable receiving spool rotates in the winding direction; and at
least one rotation resistance member engaging the resistance wheel
to resist rotation of the resistance wheel.
5. The adjustable resistance exercise device of claim 4 wherein the
adjustable resistance and retraction mechanism further comprises: a
locking cam gear mechanism coupled between the resistance wheel and
the cable receiving spool such that the cable receiving spool and
the resistance wheel are engaged when the cable receiving spool
rotates in the unwinding direction and the cable receiving spool
and the resistance wheel are disengaged when the cable receiving
spool rotates in the winding direction.
6. The adjustable resistance exercise device of claim 4 wherein the
rotation resistance member includes a rotation resistance belt
wrapped around at least a portion of the resistance wheel.
7. The adjustable resistance exercise device of claim 6 wherein the
adjustable resistance and retraction mechanism further includes a
tension adjustment member coupled to the rotation resistance belt
for adjusting tension of the rotation resistance belt to adjust the
resistance applied to the resistance wheel and the tension on the
cable.
8. The adjustable resistance exercise device of claim 1 wherein the
adjustable resistance and retraction mechanism includes a spring
engaging the cable receiving spool to apply the retraction force,
wherein the spring is loaded when the cable receiving spool is
rotated in the unwinding direction by the cable moving toward the
extended position.
9. The adjustable resistance exercise device of claim 1 further
comprising at least one handle coupled to the cable.
10. A resistance exercise device comprising a support frame; at
least one resistance wheel rotatably coupled to the support frame;
at least one cable receiving spool rotatably coupled to the support
frame and selectively engaged with the resistance wheel such that
rotation of the cable receiving spool in an unwinding direction
causes the resistance wheel to rotate and rotation of the cable
receiving spool in a winding direction is independent of the
resistance wheel; at least one cable coupled to the cable receiving
spool, wherein a length of the cable is coiled around the cable
receiving spool in a retracted position and wherein the length of
the cable extends from the cable receiving spool in an extended
position; at least one resistance member engaging the resistance
wheel to resist rotation of the resistance wheel in the unwinding
direction such that the cable resists extension toward the extended
position; and at least one retraction spring engaging the cable
receiving spool to cause the cable receiving spool to rotate in the
winding direction such that the cable retracts toward the retracted
position; and a housing including a top surface for receiving part
of a user, wherein the housing houses the frame, the resistance
wheel, the cable receiving spool, the resistance member, and the
retraction spring, wherein the housing includes an aperture that
receives the cable and allows the cable to extend and retract, and
wherein the at least one cable receiving spool substantially
parallel to the top surface of the housing such that an axis of
rotation of the cable receiving spool is substantially
perpendicular to the top surface of the housing.
11. The resistance exercise device of claim 10 wherein the
resistance member includes a rotation resistance belt wrapped
around at least a portion of the resistance wheel.
12. The resistance exercise device of claim 11 further comprising a
tension adjustment member coupled to the rotation resistance belt
for adjusting tension of the rotation resistance belt to adjust the
resistance applied to the resistance wheel and the tension on the
cable.
13. The resistance exercise device of claim 10 further comprising:
a locking cam gear mechanism coupled between the resistance wheel
and the cable receiving spool such that the cable receiving spool
and the resistance wheel are engaged when the cable receiving spool
rotates in the unwinding direction and the cable receiving spool
and the resistance wheel are disengaged when the cable receiving
spool rotates in the winding direction.
14. The resistance exercise device of claim 10 further comprising
at least one handle coupled to the cable.
15. An adjustable resistance exercise device comprising a support
frame; first and second cable receiving spools rotatably coupled to
the support frame; first and second cables coupled to the cable
receiving spools, respectively, wherein a length of each of the
cables is coiled around the respective cable receiving spools in a
retracted position and wherein the lengths of each of the cables
extend from the respective cable receiving spools in an extended
position, wherein each of the cable receiving spools is rotatable
in a winding direction when the respective cable is being retracted
toward the retracted position, and wherein each of the cable
receiving spools is rotatable in an unwinding direction when the
respective cable is being extended toward the extended position; at
least one adjustable resistance and retraction mechanism operably
coupled to the cable receiving spools to apply adjustable
resistance forces to the cables and to apply retraction forces to
the cables independent of the adjustable resistance forces; and
wherein the adjustable resistance mechanism comprises: first and
second resistance wheels rotatably coupled to the support frame and
selectively engaged with the respective first and second cable
receiving spools such that the cable receiving spools and the
resistance wheels are engaged when the respective cable receiving
spools rotate in the unwinding direction and the cable receiving
spools and the resistance wheels are disengaged when the respective
cable receiving spools rotate in the winding direction; at least
one rotation resistance member engaging the first and second
resistance wheels, respectively, to resist rotation of the
resistance wheels; and first and second locking cam gear mechanisms
coupled between the resistance wheels and the cable receiving
spools, respectively, such that the cable receiving spools and the
resistance wheels are engaged when the respective cable receiving
spools rotate in the unwinding direction and the cable receiving
spools and the resistance wheels are disengaged when the respective
cable receiving spools rotate in the winding direction.
16. The adjustable resistance exercise device of claim 15 wherein
the adjustable resistance and retraction mechanism applies the
resistance forces to resist rotation of the respective cable
receiving spools in the unwinding direction to resist extension of
the respective cables toward the extended position when the
respective cable receiving spools are rotating in the unwinding
direction, wherein the resistance forces are applied only when the
respective cable receiving spools are rotating in the unwinding
direction, and wherein the adjustable resistance and retraction
mechanism applies the retraction forces to cause the respective
cable receiving spools to rotate in the winding direction to
retract the respective cables toward the retracted position when
the respective cable receiving spools are rotating in the winding
direction.
17. The adjustable resistance exercise device of claim 15 further
comprising a housing including a top surface for receiving part of
a user, wherein the housing houses the frame, the cable receiving
spools, and the adjustable resistance and retraction mechanism,
wherein the housing includes apertures that receive the cables and
allows the cables to extend and retract, and wherein the housing
includes handle engaging regions.
18. The adjustable resistance exercise device of claim 15 further
comprising first and second pulleys rotatably mounted to the frame
and receiving the respective first and second cables from the
respective first and second cable receiving spools, wherein an axis
of rotation of each of the pulleys is generally orthogonal to an
axis of rotation of each of the respective cable receiving
spools.
19. The adjustable resistance exercise device of claim 15 wherein
the adjustable resistance and retraction mechanism includes first
and second springs engaging the respective first and second cable
receiving spools to apply the retraction force, wherein the springs
are loaded when the respective cable receiving spools are rotated
in the unwinding direction by the respective cables moving toward
the extended position.
20. The adjustable resistance exercise device of claim 15 further
comprising a tension adjustment member coupled to the at least one
rotation resistance belt for adjusting tension of the at least
rotation resistance member to adjust the resistance applied to both
of the resistance wheels and the tension on both of the cables.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to exercise devices and more
particularly, to adjustable resistance exercise devices.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Physical exercise is widely recognized as an important component of
maintaining physical fitness and overall health. One type of
physical exercise, often referred to as resistance training, uses
the resistance to muscular contraction to build the strength,
anaerobic endurance and size of skeletal muscles. Various types of
exercise devices have been developed to provide such resistance for
use in resistance training.
According to one type of resistance exercise device, a user grabs a
handle connected to a cable and an opposing resistance force is
applied to the cable to resist the user pulling the cable. Such
resistance exercise devices often allow the user to adjust the
opposing resistance force that is applied against the cable. In
such devices, the resistance force is often the same as the
retraction force used to cause the cable to retract into the
exercise device. Thus, changing the resistance force also results
in a corresponding change in the retraction force used to retract
the cable. The higher retraction forces resulting from higher
resistance forces may cause an undesirable jerking action when
using the exercise device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features and advantages will be better understood
by reading the following detailed description, taken together with
the drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable resistance exercise
device, consistent with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views of the adjustable resistance
exercise device shown in FIG. 1 with the handles in seated and
partially retracted positions, respectively.
FIG. 3 is a top cross-sectional view of the adjustable resistance
exercise device taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2A.
FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the adjustable resistance
exercise device taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2B.
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the adjustable resistance exercise
device shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the adjustable
resistance and retraction mechanism used to provide independent
resistance forces and retraction forces on the cables in the
adjustable resistance exercise device.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a resistance wheel
selectively engaged with a cable receiving spool using a locking
cam gear mechanism, consistent with an embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an exploded cross-sectional perspective view of the
locking cam gear mechanism shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a top view of the locking cam gear mechanism shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8.
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of
the adjustable resistance exercise device.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable resistance
exercise device shown in FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is an exploded view of another embodiment of an adjustable
resistance and retraction mechanism.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the adjustable resistance and
retraction mechanism shown in FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is an exploded view of an adjustment mechanism in the
adjustable resistance and retraction mechanism shown in FIG.
13.
FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the adjustment mechanism in the
adjustable resistance and retraction mechanism shown in FIG.
13.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a handle that
may be used in an adjustable resistance exercise device.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the handle shown in FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In general, a resistance exercise device, consistent with the
embodiments disclosed herein, enables resistance training by using
one or more retractable cables that provide resistance to the user
when the user pulls on the cable(s). The resistance exercise device
provides a retraction force to retract the cable(s), which is
independent of a resistance force applied to the cable(s). The
resistance exercise device may thus allow adjustment of the
resistance force without affecting the retraction force. In the
exemplary embodiments described and shown, the resistance exercise
device includes a portable exercise platform with two independently
functioning cables; however, the concept of providing a retraction
force independent of a resistance force may be used in other types
of resistance exercise devices.
Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an adjustable resistance
exercise device 100 generally includes a platform 110 and handles
122, 124 coupled to cables 132, 134 that extend from and retract
into the platform 110. The platform 110 may generally include a
housing 111 enclosing a resistance and retraction mechanism (not
shown) for providing the resistance and retraction forces to the
cables 132, 134, as will be described in greater detail below. The
platform 110 may also include handle engaging regions 112, 114 that
receive the handles 122, 124 and a surface 116, such as a flat
surface, that receives a part of the user's body, such as the
user's feet, to stabilize the platform 110 as the user grips the
handles 122, 124 and pulls the cables 132, 134 from the platform
110. The surface 116 may include a rubber mat and the bottom of the
housing 111 may include one or more rubber feet (not shown).
Although the illustrated embodiment has a platform 110 and handles
122, 124 of a particular shape, various other shapes and
configurations may be used. In other embodiments, for example, the
platform 110 may be shaped or designed to receive other parts of
the user's body (e.g., the knees, back, buttocks) and/or the
handles 122, 124 may be shaped to be engaged by other parts of the
user's body (e.g., the feet). Although the platform 110 is shown as
a portable platform, the platform may be integrated in an exercise
device that is fixed or the cables 132, 134 may extend from an
exercise device without a platform. An exercise device implementing
the concepts described herein may also include only one cable and
handle or more than two cables and handles.
FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a handle 124 in a retracted position and
partially extended position, respectively. In the retracted
position (FIG. 2A), the handle 124 engages the handle engaging
region 114. In an embodiment, for example, the handle 124 may be
seated in the handle engaging region 114. In an extended position
(FIG. 2B), the handle 124 is removed from the handle engaging
region 114 and a portion of the cable 134 extends from the platform
110. When the handle 124 is moved from the retracted position to an
extended position in the direction of arrow 102, a resistance force
F.sub.RS is applied to the cable 134 to resist muscular contraction
of the user pulling the cable 134 via the handle 124. When the
handle 124 is allowed to move to the retracted position in the
direction of arrow 104, a retraction force F.sub.RT is applied to
the cable 134 to cause retraction of the cable 134 into the
platform 110. As will be described in greater detail below, the
retraction force F.sub.RT is applied independently of the
resistance force F.sub.RS in that the resistance force F.sub.RS is
not applied when the cable 134 is retracted.
Referring to FIGS. 3-5, embodiments of a resistance and retraction
mechanism that may be used inside of the housing 111 of the
platform 110 are described in greater detail. The illustrated
embodiment of the exercise device 100 generally includes a support
frame 140 and cable receiving spools 142, 144 rotatably coupled to
the support frame 140 and coupled to the respective cables 132, 134
(only cable 134 is shown). The cable receiving spools 142, 144 each
rotate independently in a winding direction (as indicated by arrow
106) when the respective cable is being retracted and in an
unwinding direction (as indicated by arrow 108) when the respective
cable is being extended. Pulleys 143, 145 may also be rotatably
mounted to the support frame 140 to receive and guide the
respective cables 132, 134 to the respective cable receiving spools
142, 144. The pulleys 143, 145 may each have an axis of rotation
that is generally orthogonal to an axis of rotation of the
respective cable receiving spools 142, 144 such that the spools
142, 144 can lie flat within the housing 111 of the platform 110
with the cables 132, 134 extending generally orthogonally from the
platform 110.
The housing 111 of the platform 110 may include first and second
housing portions 111a, 111b. One of the housing portions 111a
(e.g., an upper housing portion) may include the surface 116 and
the handle engaging regions 112, 114. One of the housing portions
111b (e.g., a lower housing portion) may be designed to receive and
secure the frame 140. One or both of the housing portions 111a,
111b may include reinforcing structures 113, such as walls, that
reinforce the housing 111 to withstand the forces applied to the
platform 110 when using the exercise device 100. Although the frame
140 is shown separately from the housing portions 111a, 111b, the
frame 140 may be integrated with or one-piece with the either of
the housing portions 111a, 111b.
The exercise device 100 may include a resistance and retraction
mechanism 150 that is operably coupled to the cable receiving
spools 142, 144 to apply the resistance forces and to apply the
retraction forces independent of the resistance forces. In general,
the resistance and retraction mechanism 150 applies the resistance
force to resist rotation of the cable receiving spools 142, 144 in
the unwinding direction. The resistance force is then transferred
to the respective cables 132, 134 to resist extension of the cables
132, 134 toward the extended position when the respective cable
receiving spools are rotating in the unwinding direction. The
resistance and retraction mechanism 150 applies the retraction
force to cause the cable receiving spools 142, 144 to rotate in the
winding direction. The retraction force is then transferred to the
respective cables 132, 134 to retract the cables toward the
retracted position when the respective cable receiving spools are
rotating in the winding direction. Thus, the exemplary embodiment
of the resistance and retraction mechanism 150 applies the
resistance forces only when the respective cable receiving spools
142, 144 are rotating in the unwinding direction. The resistance
and retraction mechanism 150 may provide an adjustable resistance
force, as described in greater detail below, such that the
resistance force may be changed without changing the retraction
force.
As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 5 and 6, an embodiment of the
resistance and retraction mechanism 150 may include resistance
wheels 152, 154 rotatably coupled to the support frame 140 and one
or more rotation resistance members 156 that engage the resistance
wheels 152, 154 to resist rotation of the resistance wheels 152,
154. The resistance wheels 152, 154 may be selectively engaged with
the respective cable receiving spools 142, 144 such that the cable
receiving spools 142, 144 cause the respective resistance wheels
152, 154 to rotate when the respective cable receiving spools 142,
144 rotate in the unwinding direction (i.e., engaged) and the
respective cable receiving spools 142, 144 rotate independently in
the winding direction (i.e., disengaged). Thus, resistance forces
are applied by the resistance wheels 152, 154 only when the cable
receiving spools 142, 144 are rotating in the unwinding direction,
as will be described in greater detail below.
In the illustrated embodiment, the rotation resistance member 156
is a resistance belt 157 wrapped around both resistance wheels 152,
154 and engaging at least a portion of an annular surface of the
resistance wheels 152, 154. In this embodiment, the resistance
force is the friction force that results from rotating the
resistance wheels 152, 154 against the resistance belt 157. Guides
153, 155 may be mounted to the frame 140 and may guide the rotation
resistance belt 157 around a desired portion of the resistance
wheels 152, 154. The amount of surface area of the resistance belt
157 in contact with the annular surface of the resistance wheels
152, 154 (and thus the friction force) depends on the location of
the guides 153, 157 relative to the resistance wheels 152, 154. The
amount of surface area of the resistance belt 157 in contact with
the resistance wheels 152, 154 also affects the adjustability of
the resistance force by changing the tension in the resistance belt
157, as described below. As shown in FIG. 3, the guides 153, 155
are located such that the resistance belt 157 contacts between
about 1/2 and 3/4 of the circumference of the resistance wheels
152, 154. In one embodiment, the resistance mechanism may be
capable of providing a total of 140 lbs. of resistance force (e.g.,
70 lbs. on each side).
One example of a resistance mechanism that uses a belt around a
wheel is described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,153,
which is incorporated herein by reference. The rotation resistance
belt 157 may be made of woven nylon or another suitable material
that provides a similar coefficient of friction and that is
sufficiently durable when subjected to the friction. The surface
area of the resistance belt 157 in contact with the resistance
wheels 152, 154 also depends on the width of the resistance belt
157. In one embodiment, the resistance belt 157 may have a width in
a range of about 1/2 inches to 3 inches. The rotation resistance
member(s) 156 may also include separate resistance belts wrapped
around each of the resistance wheels 152, 154 or may include other
friction generating members that contact the resistance wheels 152,
154 to cause a friction force when the resistance wheels are
rotated.
The resistance and retraction mechanism 150 may further include a
resistance force adjustment mechanism 160 that adjusts the
resistance force, for example, by adjusting the friction force
generated by the resistance wheels 152, 154 rotating against the
resistance member(s) 156. According to the exemplary embodiment,
the resistance force adjustment mechanism 160 includes a threaded
adjustment rod 162 threadably engaged with a sliding block 164, or
similar structure, coupled to the resistance belt 157. Turning the
threaded adjustment rod 162 (e.g., using an adjustment knob 168)
causes the block 164 to move and changes the tension in the
resistance belt 157, which changes the force applied by the
resistance belt 157 against the resistance wheels 152, 154 and the
resulting friction force. According to one embodiment of the
adjustment mechanism 160, a movement of the threaded adjustment rod
162 of about 1 inch allows an adjustment from 5 lbs. to 70 lbs. of
resistance force applied by each of the resistance wheels 152, 154.
Other resistance force adjusting mechanisms capable of increasing
or decreasing the friction force may also be used.
The exemplary embodiment of the resistance and retraction mechanism
150 also includes radial springs 158 (only one is shown in FIG. 6)
that engage the cable receiving spools 142, 144 to apply the
retraction forces. The radial spring 158 is wound when the
respective cable receiving spool 142 are rotated in the unwinding
direction by the respective cable 132 moving toward the extended
position (i.e., when the user pulls on the cables). When the user
stops pulling on the cable 132, the force stored in the wound
radial spring 158 provides the retraction force that causes the
cable receiving spool 142 to rotate in the winding direction,
thereby winding and retracting the cable 132. Other types of
springs or resilient members may also be used in the resistance and
retraction mechanism 150 to generate the retraction forces. Because
the resistance wheel 152 is disengaged from the cable receiving
spool 142 during rotation in the winding direction, the radial
spring 158 generates the retraction force independent of the
resistance force generated by the resistance wheel 152.
As shown in FIG. 6 and in greater detail in FIGS. 7-9, a locking
cam gear mechanism 170 may be used to selectively engage the cable
receiving spools 142, 144 and the resistance wheels 152, 154. In
the illustrated embodiment, the locking cam gear mechanism 170 is
fixedly engaged to the resistance wheel 152, for example, using one
or more pins 171, and is selectively engaged to the cable receiving
spool 142. For example, the cable receiving spool 142 includes a
recessed region formed by an annular surface 141 and the locking
cam gear mechanism 170 is received in the recessed region.
An embodiment of the locking cam gear mechanism 170 includes a cam
gear 172 and one or more lock bearings 173 that engage the cam gear
172. The cam gear 172 includes one or more cam surfaces 175 and
bearing surfaces 177 that form one or more teeth 176. The lock
bearings 173 are located between the teeth 176 such that the cam
surface(s) 173 engage the lock bearings 173 when the cam gear 172
rotates in one direction (as indicated by arrow 106) and engage the
bearing surface(s) 177 when the cam gear 172 rotates in the
opposite direction (as indicated by arrow 108). The cam surface 175
forms an acute angle relative to the annular surface 141 such that
the lock bearing 173 wedges between the cam surface 175 and the
annular surface 141 when rotating in the direction of arrow 106.
The bearing surface 177 forms a generally perpendicular angle
relative to the annular surface 141 such that the lock bearing 173
rolls against the annular surface 141 when pushed by the bearing
surface 177. Thus, the cam gear 172 and the lock bearings 173 lock
against the annular surface 141 of the cable receiving spool 142
when rotating in the direction of arrow 106 (i.e., the unwinding
direction) and rotate freely with respect to the annular surface
141 when rotating in the direction of arrow 108 (i.e., the winding
direction). One or more bearings 179, such as thrust bearings, may
be used to facilitate rotation of the cable receiving spool 142 and
the locking cam gear mechanism 170.
The locking cam gear 172 may also be fixedly secured to the
resistance wheel 152 using other structures or by forming the cam
gear 172 as one piece with the resistance wheel 152. In other
embodiments, the locking cam gear mechanism 170 may be fixedly
engaged to the cable receiving spool 142 and selectively engaged
with the resistance wheel 152. Although the lock bearings 173 are
shown as rods, they may also be balls or similar structures that
will move with the cam gear 172 in one direction of rotation and
lock with the cam gear 172 in the other direction of rotation.
Further embodiments may use other types of mechanisms, such as
ratchet mechanisms, that provide selective engagement in different
directions of rotation.
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, another embodiment of an adjustable
resistance exercise device 1000 is shown and described. In this
embodiment, the adjustable resistance exercise device 1000 includes
cable receiving spools 1042, 1044 and a resistance and retraction
mechanism 1050 including resistance wheels 1052, 1054 located
closer to an adjustment mechanism 1060. The adjustable resistance
exercise device 1000 also includes cable pulleys 1043, 1045 that
guide cables 1032, 1034 to and from the cable receiving spools
1042, 1044. In this embodiment, the cable receiving spools 1042,
1044 rotate in winding and unwinding directions that are opposite
the winding and unwinding directions in the embodiment described
above. The cable receiving spools 1042, 1044, pulleys 1043, 1045
and resistance and retraction mechanism 1050 are mounted to a frame
1040 and provided within a platform 1010, for example, as described
above.
The adjustment mechanism 1060, according to this embodiment,
includes a gauge 1061 that allows a user to gauge the resistance
adjustment. The gauge 1061 may be visible through an aperture 1017
in the platform 1010. The gauge 1061 may be calibrated to indicate
the approximate resistance (e.g., in pounds) applied to one or both
sides of the exercise device 1000.
As shown in greater detail in FIG. 12, the adjustment mechanism
1060, according to this embodiment, also includes a threaded
adjustment rod 1062 that threadably engages a slider 1064, which is
coupled to a tensioning wheel 1066 or similar structure. The
tensioning wheel 1066 receives a resistance belt 1057 and moves the
resistance belt 1057 to adjust the tension thereof and the
resistance applied to the resistance wheels 1052, 1054. In this
embodiment, the gauge 1061 may include a dial 1063 located in the
aperture 1017 of the platform 1010 and a pointer fixed to the
slider 1064 and moving relative to the dial 1063. The dial 1063 may
include one or more markings or indicia to indicate a relative
position of the slider 1064 and thus the relative resistance
applied by the resistance belt 1057.
The slider 1064 may be received in a guide portion 1041 extending
from the frame 1040, and a bolt 1065 or similar structure may
extend from the slider 1064 to engage and move the tensioning wheel
1066. A belt securing member 1067 may secure the resistance belt
1057 against a portion 1069 of the tensioning wheel 1066 to prevent
the resistance belt 1057 from sliding when the resistance wheels
1052, 1054 rotate against the resistance belt 1057.
Referring to FIGS. 13-15, a further embodiment of an adjustment
mechanism 1360 is described. According to this embodiment, a
tension belt 1357 is coupled to a tensioning wheel 1366 or similar
structure using hardware such as a nut 1367 and threaded fastener
1368 (e.g., a bolt or socket head cap screw). The nut 1367 is held
captive in a slot 1369 in the tensioning wheel 1366 and the
threaded fastener 1368 extends through the belt 1357 and into the
slot 1369 to threadably engage the nut 1367. The adjustment
mechanism 1360 also includes a slider 1364 coupled to the
tensioning wheel 1366 as described above (see FIG. 15). The slider
1364 may be made of a plastic material with a steel insert 1361
forming the threaded portion that receives the threaded rod. The
slider 1364 may also be hollow with ribs 1363 (FIG. 15) or may be
solid. As shown in FIG. 14, the cable pulleys 1343, 1345 may be
secured to the frame 1340 using fasteners, such as socket head cap
screws, which may pass through the frame 1340 and the bottom of the
platform.
Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, one embodiment of a handle 1620 may
include a strength member 1621 and a housing 1623 that encloses at
least a portion of the strength member 1621. The strength member
1621 is coupled to a cable 1630, for example, through a cable
coupling portion 1631 extending through a bottom of the handle
1620. The strength member 1621 may be made of a metal or other
suitable material capable of withstanding the forces applied to the
handle 1620 during use. The housing 1623 may be made of a plastic
or other suitable material and may include ribs 1627 that provide
reinforcement. A handle grip 1625 may be rotatably mounted on the
strength member 1621 such that the grip 1625 rotates when the user
pulls on the handle 1620.
Accordingly, the adjustable exercise device, consistent with the
embodiments described herein, uses a resistance and retraction
mechanism that provides a retraction force (when retracting a
cable) independent of a resistance force (when extending a cable).
Thus, the resistance force can be adjusted without changing the
retraction force.
Consistent an embodiment, an adjustable resistance exercise device
includes a support frame, at least one cable receiving spool
rotatably coupled to the support frame, and at least one cable
coupled to the cable receiving spool. A length of the cable is
coiled around the cable receiving spool in a retracted position and
the length of the cable extends from the cable receiving spool in
an extended position. The cable receiving spool is rotatable in a
winding direction when the cable is being retracted toward the
retracted position, and the cable receiving spool is rotatable in
an unwinding direction when the cable is being extended toward the
extended position. The resistance exercise device also includes at
least one adjustable resistance and retraction mechanism operably
coupled to the cable receiving spool to apply an adjustable
resistance force to the cable receiving spool and to apply a
retraction force to the cable receiving spool independent of the
adjustable resistance force. The resistance force resists rotation
of the cable receiving spool in the unwinding direction to resist
extension of the cable toward the extended position when the cable
receiving spool is rotating in the unwinding direction. The
resistance force is applied only when the cable receiving spool is
rotating in the unwinding direction. The retraction force causes
the cable receiving spool to rotate in the winding direction to
retract the cable toward the retracted position when the cable
receiving spool is rotating in the winding direction.
Consistent with another embodiment, a resistance exercise device
includes a support frame, at least one resistance wheel rotatably
coupled to the support frame, and at least one cable receiving
spool rotatably coupled to the support frame and selectively
engaged with the resistance wheel such that rotation of the cable
receiving spool in an unwinding direction causes the resistance
wheel to rotate and rotation of the cable receiving spool in a
winding direction is independent of the resistance wheel. The
resistance exercise device also includes at least one cable coupled
to the cable receiving spool. A length of the cable is coiled
around the cable receiving spool in a retracted position and the
length of the cable extends from the cable receiving spool in an
extended position. The resistance exercise device further includes
at least one resistance member engaging the resistance wheel to
resist rotation of the resistance wheel in the unwinding direction
such that the cable resists extension toward the extended position
and at least one retraction spring engaging the cable receiving
spool to cause the cable receiving spool to rotate in the winding
direction such that the cable retracts toward the retracted
position.
Consistent with a further embodiment, an adjustable resistance
exercise device includes a support frame, first and second cable
receiving spools rotatably coupled to the support frame, and first
and second cables coupled to the cable receiving spools,
respectively. A length of each of the cables is coiled around the
respective cable receiving spools in a retracted position and the
lengths of each of the cables extend from the respective cable
receiving spools in an extended position. Each of the cable
receiving spools is rotatable in a winding direction when the
respective cable is being retracted toward the retracted position.
Each of the cable receiving spools is rotatable in an unwinding
direction when the respective cable is being extended toward the
extended position. The exercise device further includes at least
one adjustable resistance and retraction mechanism operably coupled
to the cable receiving spools to apply adjustable resistance forces
to the cables and to apply retraction forces to the cables
independent of the adjustable resistance forces.
While the principles of the invention have been described herein,
it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this
description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation
as to the scope of the invention. Other embodiments are
contemplated within the scope of the present invention in addition
to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein.
Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art
are considered to be within the scope of the present invention,
which is not to be limited except by the following claims.
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